Can Sizes (Common Weights and Measures)

Can Size...Avg. Net Weight/Fluid Measure Per Can....Avg Can in Cups...What's usually in it

#1 (Picnic)...10 1/2 oz - 12 oz.....................1 1/4 cups.......Condensed soups, some fruits, vegetables

#2.......20 oz/(1lb 4oz)/18fl oz/(1pt 2fl oz).....2 1/2 cups.........Juices, ready-to-serve soups, some fruits

#2 Cyl...24fl oz..................................3 cups.............Juices, soups

#2 1/2...26oz-30/(1lb 10 oz - 1lb 14oz)...........3 1/2 cups.........Fruits, some vegetables

#3 Cyl...51oz/(3lb 3oz)/46fl oz/(1qt 1 7/8 cups)..5 3/4 cups.........Condensed soups, some vegetables, meat and poultry products, fruit and vegetable juices

#10......6lb-7lbs 5oz(96oz-117oz).................12-13 2/3 cups.....Fruit, vegetables; Tomato Sauce, Beans

#300.....14-16 oz/(1lb)...........................1 3/4 cups.........Some fruits and meat products


Can sizes are industry terms and do not necessarily appear on the label. The net weight on can or jar labels differs according to the density of the contents. For example: A No. 10 can of sauerkraut weighs 6 lb 3 oz; a No. 10 can of cranberry sauce weighs 7 lb 5 oz. Meats, fish, and shellfish are known and sold by weight of contents.

The #10 can is the institutional size, the big one you may see at a church meal. It looks like it would hold a gallon of liquid.